From the Bookshelf of Nothing But Reading Challenges…

People We Meet on Vacation

Emily Henry

Start date: January 1, 2025

Finish date: January 31, 2025

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What Members Thought

Jun 06, 2021 Anne OK rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2021-reads

I wish I could say this was going to be a review filled with high praise, but that’s not the case. I didn’t love nor hate this book – I just didn’t feel a whole lot of either. I didn’t particularly like Poppy from start to finish. The friends-to-lovers/opposites attract trope left me wondering at times whether or not Alex and Poppy weren’t a little too opposite to attract!

She seemed almost heartless to me, and her excuses were flimsy at best. And Alex was a bit weak as a hero but even then, he w
I wish I could say this was going to be a review filled with high praise, but that’s not the case. I didn’t love nor hate this book – I just didn’t feel a whole lot of either. I didn’t particularly like Poppy from start to finish. The friends-to-lovers/opposites attract trope left me wondering at times whether or not Alex and Poppy weren’t a little too opposite to attract!

She seemed almost heartless to me, and her excuses were flimsy at best. And Alex was a bit weak as a hero but even then, he was almost too perfect. More often than not, I felt bad for him and wanted him to expect more from Poppy. Instead, he just rolled with the punches. Overall, just a mixed bag for me.

But, oh, the places they go —from the extravagant to the shoestring budget vacations. Great job from this author on providing the details that made each trip a real treat. I loved visiting all the different locations right along with them. And those “people we meet on vacation” – well, they helped wrap this story in some much-needed lighthearted humor.

Stuck in a rut doesn’t even begin to describe this couple! The anxiety and stress portion of the friends-to-lovers transformation is an excruciatingly long and drawn-out ordeal – ten years. I certainly could have done without so much of the drama/trauma and enjoyed more of the portion where they finally get on the same page and enjoy each other without all the hang-ups. Otherwise, it was a fast and furious rush to the end of this very wordy book. There was, thankfully, a fab Epilogue – even with it being somewhat of a happy for now scenario.

Last year’s Beach Read by Emily Henry was a much easier read for me and one I truly enjoyed from start to finish. This author is an amazing writer, this year's release is probably just a case of that old “it’s just me and not the book” syndrome. And I’ll definitely be watching for what comes next from her.

I went ahead and rated the book 4-stars because the writing was topnotch, and it is obvious that Emily Henry is an author who puts in the extra work on research and details. Even though this couple and their story didn’t bring out the oohs and aahs for me, I can still appreciate a well-done presentation.

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